May is truly a transition month on the Space Coast. Winds should calm as our weather shifts to its more tropical summer pattern. This will open many spring fisheries to Brevard kayak anglers! Water levels in the lagoon will continue to rise with steady South Easterly winds allowing redfish to work shorelines that have been practically dry for months. The most aggressive and common catch on our flats in May will be sea-trout looking to pack on weight as they spawn. Spawning activities of sea-trout are base around the moon phase and times of the full or new moon are best.
Productive flats are usually loaded with mullet large and small. On many occasions you can hear a “pop” sound or see showering mullet as these heavy trout feed. Topwater plugs are by far the most productive and exciting way to target this species. A steady cadence in your retrieve is a must; this goes for walk-the-dog or inline plugs. I tell my clients to wait until you feel the weight of the fish to set the hook.
Many times trout will slap at the topwater and miss it! If you continue to work your lure they will return for another hit and hopefully find all those hooks hanging from the plug. Just in time for the best part of the trout bite we will be hosting a seatrout tourney from KARS Park fishing the No-Motor-Zone. Hit Facebook/Local Lines Guide Service and give us a like! Info on the tourney should be flowing through there and the Space Coast Kayak Anglers page on Facebook. Or just give KARS a call and ask about the May 18 seatrout tourney.
The seas should also be settling not to return until tropical systems make an appearance. This change in the offshore waters of or beaches will tempt many kayak anglers to the beaches looking to launch. As the coast warms loads of pogies (Atlantic menhaden) will flood the nearcoastal areas of the space coast.
This filter feeding bait is the base of all coastal game fishes diets. Sabiki bait rigs won’t work on this oily bait; only snatch hooks and cast nets will put you in business. Slow troll them on heavy spinning gear and hold on.
Obviously the best fishing will be in and around the bait pods! If live bait doesn’t do it for you troll large lipped plugs and large paddle tail/jig head combos. A small bit of wire will keep you from loosing toothy critters like sharks and kingfish.
Be smart in the big water and take a buddy! Many issues can and will arise; it’s best to have someone to help. Be your situation good or bad!
All anglers and lovers of the Space Coast diverse environment need to become active. As you read this decisions are being made that will impact access and potentially habitat along a large swath of our lagoons. Actions have been taken to build an entire new area of “Space” development outside of the current boundaries considered to be center property. Thus unnecessarily displacing many endangered species and limiting access! I personally know of many unused assets on center property that would be prime for this development due to my years working on the program. Next month I will be featuring Tom Altif of Kayaks By Bo in Titusville. A leader in the uphill fight for our lagoon! Stop by his shop, call, or become involved via the Save Our Lagoon Facebook page. It will take a coalition of all those who cherish the diversity and opportunity to save it for the future generations. I know that this lifelong resident and fishing guide refuses to have my children be unable to experience the amazement that is our coastal lagoons.